Myron Rosenblum

The first use of the term “viol d’amore” is believed to be in John Evelyn’s diary of 1679. He described it by saying of it, “I never heard a sweeter Instrument or more surprising…” Frequently heard in baroque music, viola d’amore resembles a violin or viola, but it has extra resonating strings – sympathetic strings – which give it a rich, sonorous and unusual tone. It’s also very hard to play, which explains why the specialized instrument isn’t more commonly heard. Suzanne Bona spoke with one of the world’s viola d’amore experts, Myron Rosenblum, about the instrument, its history, and why he’s such a passionate and enthusiastic advocate.

Sunday Baroque Blog

Host Suzanne Bona occasionally shares something interesting with you that is too timely or doesn't quite fit on the weekly broadcast. It might be to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the program, tell you about a terrific new recording, share information about a group's concert tour or latest award, or inform you about the passing of an important musician. Sometimes it might be an observation about the musical scene in general, or a reaction to a news item that relates to the world of music or the arts. Check in with Suzanne's blog to see what she has to say and join the conversation.